Luka Doncic’s Departure from Dallas: A Tale of Frustration and Farewell
Feb 3, 2025, 11:40 AM ET
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the NBA community, Luka Doncic has been traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers. While Doncic himself chose to focus on the positive aspects of his time in Dallas, thanking the fans and the community in his farewell message, his father, Sasa Doncic, did not hold back in expressing his dissatisfaction with the Mavericks’ handling of the trade.
In an interview with Slovenian media network Arena Sport 1, Sasa Doncic accused the Mavericks of “hypocrisy” and criticized the “secrecy” surrounding the three-team trade that sent his son to the Lakers and brought Anthony Davis to Dallas. “I understand there comes a moment when you disagree with a certain philosophy,” Sasa Doncic said, as translated by Arena Sport. “You don’t like this or that player, all good — I get it. But I think that exactly this secrecy, or should I say from some individuals, maybe even hypocrisy, this hurts me personally. Because I think that Luka absolutely doesn’t deserve this.”
The Mavericks’ general manager, Nico Harrison, cited Davis’ superior defense as a reason for the trade, emphasizing that “defense wins championships.” He also acknowledged concerns about Doncic’s upcoming contractual situation. However, sources told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon that the Mavericks were also frustrated with Doncic’s conditioning, which they believed affected his durability. Doncic has played in only 22 games this season due to injuries, primarily a left calf strain that has kept him sidelined since Christmas Day.
Sasa Doncic defended his son by pointing to the previous season, when Luka played in 70 regular-season games, averaging 37.5 minutes per game, and participated in 22 postseason games, averaging 40.9 minutes per game during Dallas’ run to the NBA Finals. “[Luka’s conditioning] wasn’t even a problem last year since, I am saying again, one individual said he’s not fit enough,” Sasa said. “That he played, I don’t know, 100 games — practically 40 minutes with two or three players constantly on him. That he was beaten, and you say such things about him — I feel that this is very unfair from certain individuals. You traded him, stand by your actions but don’t look for excuses or alibis, that’s it.”
In his message to the Dallas community, Luka Doncic expressed his gratitude and his desire to bring a championship to the city. “For a young kid from Slovenia coming to the U.S. for the first time, you made North Texas feel like home,” Doncic wrote in a social media post. “In good times and bad, from injuries to the NBA Finals, your support never changed. Thank you not only for sharing my joy in our best moments, but also for lifting me up when I needed it most.”
Doncic’s popularity in Dallas was undeniable. His No. 77 Mavericks jersey ranked eighth among bestsellers through NBAStore.com over the first half of the season. On Sunday night, some Doncic items were still available for purchase on the Mavericks’ shopping site.
- Mavericks fans gathered outside American Airlines Center in Dallas to protest the trade.
- The demonstrations included a mock funeral with fans dressed as undertakers and carrying a coffin.
- One fan held a sign that read “Worst Trade in NBA History.”
- Another fan left a sign that read “RIP Mavs.”
Security workers were seen attempting to clean an area that had been vandalized by fans who left a profane message directed at Harrison.
Sasa Doncic echoed his son’s sentiments, emphasizing Luka’s respect for Dallas and his charity work in the city. “At least as I know, [Luka] sacrificed himself enormously — and even all the stories now that someone is releasing that he wants to apologize for the things that they’re doing,” Sasa said. “I feel like this is very unfair from some individuals because I know that Luka respected Dallas a lot. He respected the whole city, helped children.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
